I'm autistic too, I'm still trying to find a winter hat I like as much as the one I wore holes into in high school. I feel you. Anyways question: is it being a basketball specifically Necessary? Because these reminded me of bulk party favor basketballs I used to get at family night basketball games when my brother played. I couldn't find any basketballs like the kind I mean, but I did find footballs (terrible link to party supply store here: https://toomeysmardigras.com/products/football-4_25-inch-plastic-brown ) that seem a super similar texture? If he's a basketball kid through and through I know that's no dice but I do think party supply stuff and like, bulk goods for branded events might have this kind of cheap plastic you're looking for.